Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday announced that his government will soon appoint over 100,000 safaikarmi (sanitary workers) in the state's municipalities.

Yadav said the appointments will be made very soon since there is a shortage of sanitary workers in the local bodies. He said one of the priorities of his government is to stem unemployment.

Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting in Lucknow, Yadav admitted there is an acute power shortage in the state, but said the government is taking immediate steps to tide over the crisis.

The Samajwadi Party leader, however, brushed aside a poser on Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati's recent inauguration of statues of Kanshi Ram and herself. "I do not want to comment on the acts of Maharani (Mayawati)," he said.

He also declined comment on the BSP's proposed Brahmin Mahasammelan and laconically asked the media personnel to ascertain how many brahmins attended the meeting.